Prosecuting attorney: Domestic violence laws in Missouri are getting better
After a number of recent reports of domestic violence in mid-Missouri, we are talking with county prosecutors about state laws concerning this type of violence.
ABC 17 News spoke with the Audrain County prosecuting attorney, who says Missouri’s current laws are headed in the right direction.
Jacob Shellabarger told ABC 17 News he has filed nearly 1,000 cases so far this year and out of all of the those he’s filed, domestic violence cases can be the most complex.
“It’s a lot more complex in dynamics, much easier when a stranger hits you but when you have a relationship with the person it’s a lot tougher,” Shellabarger said.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States.
“Our laws are more of a reality of what we are seeing from domestic violence cases, some things Missouri has that nationwide we don’t,” Shellabarger said.
Some of the new laws would include clarifying classifications for domestic violence cases and holding people more accountable with the right kind of punishment.
“We have more opportunity now to find the right kind of accountability for the different and right kind of offenses. Having more classes of offenses makes it easier to work to find the right match,” Shellabarger continues to say, “The more high- risk behavior can be more of a predictor of a possible homicide.”
Shellabarger also tells ABC 17 News that in 2017 his office continues to work with law enforcement on how to improve reaction and documentation of domestic violence calls.
